Filling nipple and stopper therefor



` P. KELLY 2,007,803

FILLINGVNIPPLE AND STOPPER THEREFOR ,Filled may 1o, 1934 July` 9, 1935.

INMENATGR ATTO RNEYS Patented July 9, 1935 UNITED STATES APATENT OFFICE This invention relates to filling' nipples and Aplugs thereforfor use in connection with inflatable articles.

One of thevobjects of the invention resides in a nlling nipple and plug for use in connection with inflatable arch supports, foot balls, toy balloons, and other like inatable articles which facilitates the inflation and deflation of the same. The device is sov constructed that when an inflatable article is inflated, the fluid pressure acts upon the plug to prevent accidental displace ment of the samerelative to the filling nipple.

Another feature of the invention is to provide a. combined filling nipple and plug -which is wholly constructed .of ,rubber to eliminate the use of metallic and other hard materials which are objectionable for certain uses to which the invention maybe applicable.

A further object of the invention is the provi-l sion of ajfllling nipple and plug which is simple and inexpensive of construction, and positive v in its action to prevent leakage when in use upon an inflatable article.

With these and other objects in view, the invention resides in the certain novel constructions, combination and arrangement of parts, the| essential features of which are hereinafter fully described, are set forth in the appended claims, and are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which: v

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view .of a shoe with parts broken away and illustrating the invention in use upon an inflatable arch support shown in position therein.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section through the shoe illustrating the arch support in top plan with a portion broken away.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the arch support per se taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an4 enlarged detail fragmentary sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 2. Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure4, but showing the lliii'g nipple in elevation and withdrawn from its guard.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view through the lling nipple.

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view onthe line 1-1 of Figure 6. Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing the ball plug member separated from the filling nipple.

Figure 9 is y view of the line 9-9 of Figure 2.

a detail vertical transverse sectional Referring to the drawing by reference char-l 'acters, the numeral I0 designates an elongated substantially flat inflatable air bag or cushion which includes a front body portion A and an integral offset heel extension portion B extending outwardly at an anglewith respect to the longitudinal axis of the body portion A. 'I'he air bags will be constructed for right and left shoes, although in the drawingI have shown the same for use within a right shoe S. For use within 10 a left shoe, theV heel extension B will extend in a direction o'ppite to that shown in Figure 2.

'Ihe air ba'g lll'is preferably constructed of tubular rubber and the heel end is sealed by .folding the upper wall" beneath the lower wall ,c and vulcanizing or cementing the walls together as at II. The front end of the air bag is also sealed in the same manner as the heel end as `at I2, but the front end5 is folded beneath the bottom of the air bag as at I 3 and the lapping 20 surfaces are vulcanized or cemented'together as at I4 to provide a partition wall I5 which terminates short of the extreme front wall to provide a restricted passage I6 between the forward superposed compartments I1 and I8. By 25 providing the double compartment at the front of the air bag, I increase the capacity of the bag without materially increasing the thickness and provide a compartment or chamber I1 in which air may be trapped in a manner and for a purpose to be presently explained. y

The airbag I0 is divided transversely by two spaced partitions I9 and 20 which divide the bag into the forward compartment I8, heel compartment 2| and anintermediate compartment 5 22. The partitions are formed by cementing or vulcanizing the top and bottom walls of the bag together, a portion adjacent opposite sides of-the bag being left unsecured to provide restricted communicating paages or choke openings 23 and 24. The passage 23 is located adjacent the outer side of the air bag and connects the compartments 2| and 22, while the passage 24 estab.- ljshes communication between lthe compartments I8 and 22 and is located adjacent the inner side of theair bag. The walls of the passage 24 are reinforced by a short rubber tube 25, but not the walls of the passage 23 which underlies the heel of the foot when in use. 'I'he partition 50 20 extends diagonally into the heel extension portion'B to produce a compartment 2| of substantially triangular shapein yplan so `that pressure thereon by the heel of the foot during walkingwill cause a proportionate amount of air to 55 20 and inner side wall of the air bag meet. Although I have described in detail an inflatable arch support with which the inflatable nipple and plug now to be described can be used, I wish it to be understood that the novel nipple and plug may be used in connection with other inflatable articles such as foot balls, toy balloons and the like.

Cemented or vulcanized to the exterior of they inner side of the air bag intermediate its ends or between the plane of the partitions I9 and 20 is a reinforcing piece of rubber 25. The reinforcing piece and the under wall which it overlaps are provided with alined openings 26, while secured to the reinforcing piece and surrounding the .opening 26 therein, is one end of a rubber inii'ating nipple 21. 'I'he opposite end of the nipple 21 is closed and provided with a slit or air opening 2l. The closed end of the nipple is folded within and beyond the open end as best seen in Figure 6 so that the slit or opening 28 communicates with the interior of the air bag through the opening 26. 'Ihe inner wall of the nipple is provided with a longitudinal V-shaped rib 2l which serves to maintain a portion of the double walls 30 in spaced .relation to maintain the airl pockets Il between the walls open to the pressure of air within the air bag. However, to prevent the reversing or accidental outward unfolding of the folded nipple, a portion of the double walls are cemented together as at 32. Seated wholly within the outer open folded end of the nipple is a rubber ball plug member 32, which is held inv sealing engagement with the inner walls 3l by the air pressure within the pockets 3|. The ball valve member may be squeezed from the nipple for inflation or deflation purposes, as seen by reference to Figure 8, but when the air bag is inflated the air pressure acting upon the inner walls 3| maintains an airtight'joint between said walls and the ball plug member.

Ihe air bag Il is vulcanized or cemented on a base of stiif rubber or rubberized cotton fabric 34' .of a size and shape to t into the inside of a shoe, the ends of the base terminating short of theendseams Hand I2.

The base Il is provided with an opening 3i to facilitate the downward passage of the nipple 21 and secured to the underside of the base about the opening 36 is a block of rubber 31 of a thickness to enable the outwardly projecting end of the ,nipple to be sunk within an opening Il therein as best seen in Figure 4. The rubber block guards the nipple `against the pressure of the foot-and prevents irritation to the foot.

By reference to Figure 3 of the drawing, it will be seen that when the air bag is inflated, three separate pillows or cushions are provided, graduating in height from the rear heel cushion or compartment 2| to the front cushion or compartment Il, the air in the compartments adapted to be partially displaced from one compartment to another during the natural walking movements of the user.

In the drawing, I have illustrated the invention in use upon 'a shoe S for receiving the right foot of a wearer, 'and it will be noted that when the device is positioned therein, the air bag extends from the outer portion of the heel, thence beneath the inner longitudinal arch and the forward end of the air bag extends at an angle toward the outer side of the shoe. By this ar- I 2,007,803 `be trapped in corner portion where the partition rangement, the heel of the foot is supported and cushioned by the compartment 2|, while the intermediate compartment 22 supports and cushions the inner longitudinal arch of the foot, the forward compartments and Il terminating short of the ball of the foot and acting to support and cushion the metatarsal arch. During a walking operation, pressure is rst exerted upon the heel pocket or cushion 2|, and a part of the air therein is gradually displaced and pushed forward into the pockets or compartments 22, I8 and A portion of the air remains trapped in the corner of the compartment 2|. As the arch and sole of the foot move downward and the pressure of the foot acts upon the compartments 22 and I8 successively, the air therein will be likewise displaced but not to the extent to fully exhaust .the entire air from these compartments. A portion of the air is trapped in the under compartment I1 to assure an air cushion support for the metatarsal arch. By reason of the restricted passages between the compartments or pockets, it will be seen that a gradual displacement of the air from one compartment to the other takes place.

I have found from actual practice that it is not necessary to extend an arch support to the ball of the foot in order to obtain the desired support of the inner longitudinal arch and metatarsal arch of the human foot, and by terminating the air bags short of the ball of the foot, a

more comfortable and emcient supporter is produced.

While I have shown and described what I deem tovbe the most` desirable embodiments of my invention, I wish it to be understood that such changes as come within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as, new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. An air check valve for use in the inflati of inflatable articles comprising a rubber nipple closed at one end and open at its other end. the closed end being reversed and folded inwardly to provide a double wall structure and extending through the open end, said closed end having a restricted passage therein, a portion of the double walls being secured together to prevent unfolding of said nipple,- and a ball valve member seated within said nipple and insertible through the folded end thereof. i

v2. A device foruse in the inflation and dellation of inflatable articles comprising a rubber tubular nipple closed at one end and open at its other end, the open end adapted to be connected with an inflatable article, the closed end being reversed and folded inwardly to provide a double wall structure and extending through the open end, said closed end having a normally closed slit therein, a portion of the double walls being secured together to prevent unfolding of the folded nipple, and a plug member of a size greater than the size of the normal cross sectional area of the passage formed by the inner walls of the double wall structure and insertible through the open folded end thereof to distend the walls thereof of said nipple to close the passage therethrough.

3. A device for use in the ination and deation of inflatable articles comprising a rubber nipple closed at one end and open at its other end, the open end being in communication with the interior of the article, the closed end beine 7l reversedand folded inwardly to proyide a double the walls at the fold may become inated to cause wall structure and extending-through the open the inner walls to engage the outer facing porend, said closed end having a, restricted passage tion of the ball plug member to maintain the therein, and a, ball plug member insertible wholly same in seated position.

within said nipple beyond the fold to distend the walls of the same whereby the space between PATRICK KELLY. 

